Switching apparatus



Aug 4, 1953 A. T. MERKE.. 2,647,964

SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1950 @vmw if,

AljedZ'Melltel Patented Aug. 4, 1953 SWITCHING APPARATUS Alfred T. Merkel, Baltimore, Md., assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Application December 22, 1950, Serial No. 202,159

2 Claims.

This invention relates to switching apparatus and more particularly to dual switching apparatus having switches with more than two positions and having mechanism for interlocking the switches.

A primary object of the instant invention is to provide new and improved switch interlocking mechanism.

Another object is to provide new and improved switch interlocking mechanism for interlocking two switches having more than two positions.

Other objects and advantages will become appare-nt after a consideration of the following specication taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear view of the switch interlocking mechanism in one setting of the switches;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the switch interlocking mechanism in another setting of the switches; and

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the invention.

In the gures, the reference numeral II generally designates a rst switch, and the reference numeral I a second switch to be interlocked with the rst switch. Mounted upon the movable portions of the switches I0 and II are studs I8 and I 'l respectively, designed to cooperate with shaped grooves or slots I6 and I 4 respectively cut in the ends of a plate or link member I2 which is slidably mounted upon the ends of the two switch shafts, and having slots l and I3 for receiving the ends of the respective shafts. Member 23 threaded or otherwise secured to the end of the shaft of switch number II provides means for maintaining the link I2 on the shaft, and washer member 2I on shaft 22 of switch number I0 is held in place thereon by one end of spring 20 latched in a peripheral groove, not shown, in the shaft 22, the other end of spring 20 being attached to pin I9 xed to link I2.

Fig. 1 shows the switches in free positions, in which slot I4 does not engage stud I'I and stud I8 is free to move in slot I6. In Fig. 2 the switches are shown in interlocked positions.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the switches of Figs. 1 and 2. Switch number I0 can rotate in all positions shown if switch number II is in any position between 1 and 5 inclusive. Switch number II cannot rotate into 2 its sixth position unless switch number I IJ is in the D position. While switch number Il is in its sixth position, switch number I0 cannot be rotated out of the D position.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an interlocking apparatus for use with a rst and a second switch, each of said switches having a plurality of switch positions, and having rotatable assemblies inclu-ding shafts, in combination; a rst stud mounted for rotation with and on the rotatable assembly of said rst switch, a second stud mounted for rotation with and on the rotatable assembly of said second switch, a plate member having a pair of slots therein slidably receiving said shafts, said plate member also having a first slot open at one end for receiving said rst stud and a second slot closed at both ends receiving and retaining captive said second stud, said second slot having a straight portion and an arcuate portion, said plate member preventing motion of said second stud and thus said second switch when said first stud is in said rst slot and said second stud is disposed insaid straight portion at which arrangement said rst stud and hence said rst switch is movable to all of its switch positions; said rst stud and hence said first switch being prevented from moving to all of its switch positions by said plate member when said second stud is disposed in said arcuate portion and said second switch is movable to each of its switch positions.

2. The combination of claim 1 and, resilient means normally urging said plate member toward the shaft of said second switch.

ALFRED T. MERKEL.

References Cited in the le of this patent 

